World News
Nepal polls: RSP wins 124 seats, heads toward two-thirds majority
Nepal is set to witness its first Madhesi prime minister, Balendra Shah, who will also be the youngest elected executive head in the history of Nepal
 "Nepal polls: RSP wins 124 seats, heads toward two-thirds majority")
US military kills 6 in strike on alleged drug boat in Eastern Pacific Ocean
Operation forms part of Washington's expanding crackdown on cartel-linked maritime trafficking
 "US military kills 6 in strike on alleged drug boat in Eastern Pacific Ocean")
US begins large military drill with South Korea while waging war in Iran
The Freedom Shield drill comes amid reports of US assets shifting toward the West Asia
 "US begins large military drill with South Korea while waging war in Iran")
Iran war's targets widen into civilian infra; Saudi reports first deaths
Desalination plants, oil depots and residential areas hit as conflict spreads across the Gulf and Lebanon
 "Iran war's targets widen into civilian infra; Saudi reports first deaths")
What China's latest economic plans say about tech ambitions, US rivalry
Plans unveiled at the National People's Congress show push for consumer demand alongside drive for technological self-sufficiency
 "What China's latest economic plans say about tech ambitions, US rivalry")
Trump's 'roaring' economy meets rough start to 2026: What the numbers show
Job losses, rising fuel prices and market volatility challenge the US president's growth promises
 "Trump's 'roaring' economy meets rough start to 2026: What the numbers show")
Counter-protester threw IED at protest outside Mamdani's home, says police
Two people were in custody for their alleged role in Saturday's confrontation, which unfolded during a 'Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City' event
 "Counter-protester threw IED at protest outside Mamdani's home, says police")
US energy chief defends Russian oil waiver; says gas price spike 'brief'
Wright told CNN's 'State of the Union' that the waiver can help 'tamp this fear of shortage of oil, tamp the price spikes and the concerns we see in the marketplace'
 "US energy chief defends Russian oil waiver; says gas price spike 'brief'")
Iran will not bow to pressure from US and Israel, says President Pezeshkian
With no sign of an end to hostilities in West Asia and tankers still not daring to cross the Strait of Hormuz, investors were bracing for a long stretch of higher energy costs
 "Iran will not bow to pressure from US and Israel, says President Pezeshkian")
HQs of oppressive 'Prevention Police' of Iran falls on Women's day: Israel
Claim comes on International Women's Day; force was widely criticised after the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022
 "HQs of oppressive 'Prevention Police' of Iran falls on Women's day: Israel")
Short-term oil spike 'small price' for ending Iran's nuclear threat: Trump
Trump's remarks to assuage the fears come after oil prices surged past $100 per barrel on Sunday--first time crossing the mark since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in 2022
Iran will not bow to pressure from US and Israel, says President Pezeshkian
Iranians see the US president's calls to the Kurds and posts on social media as signals that Trump desires not the liberation but rather the fragmentation of Iran
 "Iran will not bow to pressure from US and Israel, says President Pezeshkian")
IDF conducts strikes in Lebanon, eliminates 5 senior IRGC commanders
The IDF said that these IRGC commanders were eliminated in the Roaring Lion Operation
 "IDF conducts strikes in Lebanon, eliminates 5 senior IRGC commanders")
Dollar hits three month high as US-Iran war pushes oil past $100 a barrel
The dollar was up 0.8 per cent to $1.1525 on the euro, its highest since November, and rose almost 0.4 per cent to 158.48 yen early in the Asia session
 "Dollar hits three month high as US-Iran war pushes oil past $100 a barrel")
US orders non-essential diplomats to leave Saudi Arabia amid Iran war
The move is the first time the agency has approved an 'ordered departure' since the first strikes in Iran on Feb 28
 "US orders non-essential diplomats to leave Saudi Arabia amid Iran war")
Ayatollah Khamenei's son Mojtaba named Iran's new Supreme leader
Mojtaba Khamenei will now have a central say in Iran's war strategy, with the country's powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard answering to him
 "Ayatollah Khamenei's son Mojtaba named Iran's new Supreme leader")
Crude oil prices surpass $100 a barrel as Iran war impedes production
The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, was at $107.97 after trading resumed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, up 16.5 per cent from its Friday closing price
 "Crude oil prices surpass $100 a barrel as Iran war impedes production")
West Asia conflict clouds cast shadow on India-Gulf labour corridor
Rising tensions in West Asia are slowing recruitment of Indian workers to Gulf countries, potentially delaying over 300,000 overseas job placements in the coming months
 "West Asia conflict clouds cast shadow on India-Gulf labour corridor")
India eyes reset in Nepal ties under Balen Shah's stable government
With Balen Shah's Rashtriya Swatantra Party heading for a landslide in Nepal's polls, New Delhi hopes a stable majority government will reset strained ties after the K P Sharma Oli era
 "India eyes reset in Nepal ties under Balen Shah's stable government")
US Treasury Secretary Bessent nuances, thanks America's global partners
After controversy over remarks that the US "permitted" India to import Russian crude, Scott Bessent thanked international partners for helping stabilise global energy markets
 "US Treasury Secretary Bessent nuances, thanks America's global partners")